For those intrigued by fairies, this season there seems to be a
few books about them flitting around. From fiction to illustration, from
returning visionaries to up-and-coming lookers, there should be
something for anyone that has the capacity to believe that there's more
out there than meets the eye.

Fairie-ality:
The Fashion Collection from the House of EllwandArt and Photography by David
Ellwand, Text by Eugenie Bird,
Illustrations by David Downton Candlewick Press, Hardcover
ISBN 0763614130 PubDate
November 2002
130 pages
List price
$40.00
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Not many people are aware of the most prestigious courtier to the
fairies - the House of Ellwand. For the first time, mortals can purchase
the catalog for the fairy season. With fashions that start as the dew
dries and continue until the frost comes, the season is full of balls,
dances, and other excuses for merriment and showing off clothing. From
formal to frolicsome, the outfits follow the normal fashion show, from
formal wear to swim wear to the penultimate - the wedding dress. The
male fairies seem to have more of a choice for color, although it still
seems as if the females are the peacocks of the fairy world. However,
the "Elvis" outfit does deserve a mention with Top Ten Topper
hat, Aloha Jacket, Let's Have A Party Pants and These Shoes Weren't Made
For Walking levitating footwear. The theme of flower power is not far
from the mind, as most outfits use flowers, as well as leaves and
feathers, with shell and stone accents.

Luscious photography captures the painstakingly created outfits at
the height of their color and beauty. The fashion illustration
expressively shows in a few strokes how the garments will look, while
preserving the elusive quality that fairies maintain about themselves.
The text does a marvelous job of cataloging the materials used, and then
moves to a higher realm, mischievously suggesting how to wear the
clothing and for what occasion and personality the outfit might suit.
While the art direction is not considered to be authorial, the fold-out
booklets, as well as a mix-and match section, and other design features,
make this book truly magical.

Until now, a doll with plastic, unrealistic dimensions and a wardrobe
of synthetic clothing has ruled the minds of young girls, reinforcing
unattainable perfection. This pink powerhouse enforces the stereotype
that you have to have the latest fleeting craze, whatever it may be, or
else you have failed. In Fairie-ality we are presented with beautiful
fashions that will magically fit any body size with the added benefit of
having ample space to accommodate wings. The emphasis on the organic
shows what fashion should reflect - a consciousness of the planet and
all who live on it, as well as a respect for nature. The wonderful thing
about fashion is that you can be anything you want, just by choosing
what clothing you put on. The emphasis in the book is on natural beauty,
and letting your personality dictate your clothing choices, in order to
have the most enjoyment wherever you're going, whoever you are.

In the science fiction and fantasy world, where imagination is
routinely paramount, when something so new and different is created, it
has to be applauded with a standing ovation. It would be one thing for a
photographer to create clothing using flowers and other items found in
nature. To create a world of fairy fashion takes extraordinary vision
and talent. Now, with Fairie-ality, we are afforded a glimpse into
another world that makes you wish you were several feet shorter and a
bit more magical. One look inside, and you'll be amazed.

It comes as some relief to the admirers of Lady Cottington's
Pressed Fairy Book that it isn't the only book out there to have
documented the fairies that have been pressed by Angelica Cottington. In
fact, new light has been shed that reveals that the Cottingtons had an
older daughter - Euphemia. In Lady Cottington's Fairy Album, it
seems that the sister was able to capture the fairies in a different
medium - photographs.

Given a blank book to combine watercolors and photographs, Euphemia
did her part, cataloging different photographs of fairies as well as her
impressions of meeting them. Years pass and her sister Angelica begins
to read the notes, remarking on the other side of the page where the
watercolor was supposed to go her reaction to her Euphemia's words.
However, fairies seem to surround Angelica and she does her usual job of
squashing them. The two personalities of the sisters are remarkable.
However, intrigue lurks in the pages as well. Who was Euphemia really
trysting with in the woods? Why could Angelica not be Euphemia's sister?

Although presented as a children's book, the text alludes to trysts
Euphemia had in the forest, and some of the references seem a bit
risqué, especially for children who don't understand the birds and
bees, let alone the consequences of such actions. The illustrations and
photographs also seem a bit mature for youngsters. In this book, the
nudity is tastefully done and instead of drawing attention to the fact
that some of the fairies aren't wearing clothes, the main focus is
instead on their beauty, exuberance, and fun-loving spirit. Regardless,
the photographs of fairies seem to be the product of computer
generation. Although they are aged, with a child-like sophistication,
all seem to include a superimposition over a leafy background. The
models seem to have had their wings attached, but for all their
simplicity, they are fanciful, just the product of Victorian times. The
illustrations reflect the psychic impressions the fairies have left on
the pages, and the use of green, blue and purple emphasize the
psychedelic, quirky, and magical. In fact, the fairies seem to regard
being pressed as mortal children seem to have fun in photo booths,
trying to make the most ridiculous of poses. The challenge, as with any
sort of capturing of images is the fact that it's hard to express a
three dimensional character on a two dimensional plane. The idea of
pressing fairies or capturing them in photographs is inspired.

Fairies: A
Musical Companion
to the Art of Brian Froudby
various artistsWindham Hill Records Enhanced CD, ISBN
01934116522 October 2002

For those intrigued but the world of Froud, also of note is an
enhanced CD. The eleven songs are from a variety of artists, although
the track "Allegria" by Cirque de Soiel will be familiar to
most. Also of note is Delerium's "Nature's Kingdom", and some
may remember the band's song, made popular a few years ago "When
Flowers Become Screams". The enhanced portion of the CD comes when
you turn on your computer. Available are interviews with Brian Froud
both filmed, and text, an animation of his drawings, which is more like
a slide show of pictures available in the gallery. Also included is a
preview of Lady Cottington's Fairy Album. The only detraction is
that while exploring the enhancements, a track called "Nightblossom"
is the only song that plays and there is no access to the other 11
tracks from the CD. Seems more of a marketing tool than anything else,
but the compilation really does transport you to another world. Whether
or not that world is one of Brian Froud's making or not depends on how
much of a fan you are of his work.

Not only does this book have Brian Froud, but also Alan Lee (of
Tolkien illustration fame). In contrast to the Cottington
fairies, the colors used are mostly grays and browns. The text is more
of a serious catalog of the different types of fairies, with reference
to different sources, mostly European and Celtic. The two artists'
styles of rendering bodies are almost always identifiable by their lines
and form, with Froud leaning more towards mischievous points and curves,
while Lee has a more Romantic, Victorian sensibility that infuses his
drawings. Regardless, it is a wonderful work that is a wonderful
reintroduction to all those who intrigued by the world of fairies.

Charles de Lint states it best on the back cover when he says,
"In a fair world, a new book from her [Melling] would be
anticipated with all the fanfare of a new Rowling title, but the world's
not fair and so, for now, she remains a secret treasure for those luck
enough to have found her books." I couldn't agree more. Penguin
Canada's got it made. Alison Baird's Witches of Willowmere
series have got witches and teens covered, while Melling does the same
for fairies. Somehow the veil between fairy and human seems to part so
easily, but putting down the book proves to be inversely difficult.
What's unique about Melling is that while all the books are set in
Ireland, she has references to Canada. She doesn't have to and they make
a statement.

According to the publisher, O.R Melling's three novels The
Hunter's Moon, The Summer King, and The Light Bearer's Daughter
have been compiled into this volume in order to appeal to older readers.
That is, adults who don't want to grow up but are embarrassed to read
juvenile novels on the subway in the morning. Potter's OK, the millions
of copies and merchandising deals have made it cool to read about the
boy wizard. But anyone outside Rowling is definitely not respectable.

What also irks me is that the three books are collected together, but
at the end of the edition, is a teaser chapter for a fourth book that is
billed as the conclusion to the series. Why put three books together?
Why not put four? It's not that I'm not appreciative (for anyone up
there listening and taking notes) because I'll take Melling's books any
way I can get them. However, it seems a bit ridiculous to put three
together when there will be four out there. I'm also a bit miffed that
the glossary for the second book is in the middle where I'd never try
and find it. Book design issues aside, I'm awaiting The Book of
Dreams, whenever Melling's fourth entry decides to make an
appearance on my shelves. I'm willing to bet that it's better than
finding a leprechaun's pot of gold.